Anti Static Gloves: Gloves made with fibers for the purpose of controlling static generation. Gloves with anti-static properties will not build up a static charge on items handled, but will not remove static from an item. Anti-Static gloves are commonly used in the cleanroom, semi-conductor and photographic and imaging industries. See Static-Dissipative.

Cleanroom Gloves: Used in precision handling and assembly work. Generally, these gloves undergo a special washing and cleaning process to remove particulate matter so they don't contaminate products and products environment. These gloves are also packed in a cleanroom setting. Certain gloves have different levels (i.e. Class 100) of particulate control. Cleanroom gloves are commonly used in the cleanroom, semi-conductor and pharmaceutical industries.

Finger Cots: An economical choice for shielding your fingers. They are generally used alone or over whole-hand gloves on individual fingers to give added protection and are more comfortable and less expensive than double gloving.

Glove Liners: Generally worn as an underglove to avoid clamminess, perspiration and other irritations. They eliminate odors and reduce allergic reactions and rashes associated to latex and rubber gloves. Nylon glove liners are the most preferred choice due to their low moisture absorption, comfort and facilitate easier donning of over gloves.

Grip Gloves: Designed for safer and easier handling of materials. These gloves generally have a raised PVC coating in soft knits to increase grip on slippery surfaces.

Knit Gloves: Knitted gloves are unique in that they posses a high order of elasticity and recovery. In other words, unlike woven fabric which possesses a low degree of elongation, knitted gloves can be stretched to a considerable length and yet will gradually return to their original shape or conformation. It is this feature and their air permeability arising from it's looped structure that imparts to them desirable and appealing properties from the consumers point of view as:

-A high order of wrinkle resistance. Creases and wrinkles in knitted gloves can be readily smoothed by donning them. -Ease of care. Knitted gloves and apparel launder without difficulty and generally require no ironing. -Good drapeability. Knitted gloves conform to the hand without constricting the wearer. -Comfort. The knitted structure is porous. It allows the skin to breath freely. It's elasticity permits greater freedom of hand movements. -Knitted gloves are soft and light in weight.

Leather Gloves: For many centuries, leather gloves have been used as both fashion accessories, as well as protective working tools. Leather glove pieces, dating back all the way back to 1300 B.C. have been unearthed in Egypt. The leather glove protects the hand and at the same time breathes, thus providing warmth without humidity. It molds to the hand for a custom fit, but moves with the hand for dexterity and comfort. Fine leathers have been used in glove making for centuries. Most leather gloves are made with cowhide, lambskin and pigskin. If care is taken of a high quality leather garment, it should improve with age as well as wear, and last for a very long time.

Liners: Generally worn as an underglove to avoid clamminess, perspiration and other irritations. They eliminate odors and reduce allergic reactions and rashes associated to latex and rubber gloves. See Glove Liners

Nitrile Gloves: Nitrile is a soft elastic material with better puncture and abrasion resistance than latex or vinyl disposable gloves.

Nylon Gloves: Nylon fiber gloves are popular for their high strength, durability, low moisture absorption and comfort.

Polyethylene Gloves: Made from a high-density plastic and an economical choice for short term, low cost use where durability is not required.

PVC Gloves: (Abbreviation for Polyvinyl Chloride) An economical choice for short term, low cost use where durability is not required.

Static Dissipative Gloves: Gloves made with fiber for the purpose of eliminating and controlling static. Unlike gloves with anti-static properties that will not build up a static charge on items handled, static dissipative gloves will remove static buildup from an item. Static Dissipative gloves are commonly used in the cleanroom, semi-conductor and photographic and imaging industries. See Anti-Static

Tricot Gloves: The face of the cloth is characterized by small, uniform loops. Tricot gloves have a soft hand, even appearance is tightly constructed and must be sewn together with seams as in cut-and-sewn gloves. Tricot gloves are made in sizes and will not stretch to fit a hand like a knit glove.

Vinyl Gloves: See PVC.

Section II - Technical Terms - (Return to Top)

Glove making is an old art and has some terms that may be unfamiliar to even the most ardent glove enthusiast!

Absorbency: The ability of a fabric to take in moisture. Absorbency is a very important property, which effects many other characteristics such as skin comfort, static build-up, shrinkage, stain removal, water repellency and wrinkle recovery.

Abrasion Resistance: The ability to resist wear from the continuous rubbing of the fabric against another surface. Garments made from fabrics that possess both high breaking strength and abrasion resistance can be worn often and for a long period of time before signs of wear appear.

Aramid: See Kevlar.

Belly: Part of the leather portion. Less dense fibre structure than other parts; economy grade.

Cabretta: A thin, fine leather made from the skin of Brazilian hair sheep.

Cape or Capeskin: A superior thin leather made from the skin of South African hair sheep.

Clute Cut: A glove style with a one piece palm with no seam at the base of the finger. There are seams along the fingers on the inside, closer to the working area..

Continuous Filament: Synthetic fibers produced in continuous form as distinguished from natural fibers which have a shorted length. See Staple

Cowhide: The most durable garment leather, providing the best value. This leather type can be made in all weights and textures. New ways of finishing cowhide produce a sensual softness and suppleness. Cowhide is available in a wide range of shades and textures.

Cuff: The cuff is the part of the glove extending beyond the palm that covers the wrist and part of the forearm.

Drapeability: The ability of a fiber to bend easily. A flexible fiber such as acetate can be made into a highly drapeable fabric and garment. Usually, the thinner the fiber, the better the drapeability.

Elasticity: The ability to increase in length under tension and then return to the original length when released.

Fourchette: The piece of leather sewn between the fingers on some kinds of gloves. Also known as the sidewall or gusset.

Gauge: Outseam, in which the two edges of leather being sewn together are guided through the sewing machine by a "gauge" that insures that the stitching will always be a uniform distance from the edge of the leather.

Gauge: Knit Gloves: The number of needles and stitches to the inch. The more the needles the finer the knit. Heavy, bulky knit gloves are normally made on 7-10 gauge knitting machines, while finer knit gloves are made on 13 gauge machines. Latex, rubber or plastic gloves: The thickness of glove material usually measured in mills (1 mil=0.001" gauge)Lower gauge gloves allow better dexterity and flexibility while higher gauge gloves give better protection, but with less flexibility.

Gauntlet Cuff: A glove cuff designed for extra protection for the forearm. Usually a 4 ½ " cuff. Slides on and off easily and allows for maximum movement of forearm.

Grain: The side of the leather that had the hair, i.e. the outside. Full grain has the original surface, whereas corrected grain has been abraded to make the leather smoother and more uniform. Regarded for its soft, grainy texture and appearance.

Gunn Cut: A type of glove construction that has no seams on the back but has a seam at the base of the middle fingers. Finger seams are further from the working area.

Gusset: The piece of leather sewn between the fingers on some kinds of gloves. Also known as the sidewall or fourchette.

Hand: The way a fiber (glove, yarn or fabric) feels when handled. Terms like soft, crisp, dry, silky or harsh are used to describe the hand of a textile material. The type of yarn, fabric construction and finishing processes used, affect the hand of a fabric.

Handsewn: Through and through sewing, sewn by hand the old fashioned way with needle and thread.

Inseam: Seamed inside out and then turned. Strong, even, not visible on the outside.

Kevlar: Aramid fibers. Generic name for aromic polyamide fibers, consisting of synthetic polyamides in which at least 85% of the amide linkages are directly attached to the aromatic ring. The fiber is difficult to ignite. Does not propagate flame. Decomposes at about 900oF. Kevlar fibers and Kevlar fiber blends are commonly used in cut, abrasion and heat resistant gloves. Kevlar is a trademark of the DuPont Company.

Keystone Thumb: A type of glove thumb that conforms to the natural shape and position of the thumb, resulting in superior movement and comfort.

Knit Wrist: A glove cuff designed to fit snugly to the wrist.

Lambskin: A luxurious, silky leather with a very soft hand. This makes for a very wearable garment or great feeling accessory.

Leather: A hide or skin that has been preserved by a chemical process called tanning. Leather is the most ancient form of clothing known to man and only certain types are adaptable for gloves.

Nylon: Generic name for all polymers having recurring amide groups in the molecular backbone. Various types of nylon are described by numbers that relate to the number of carbon atoms in the various reactants. Effect of heat: Sticks at 445oF, Melts at 480oF, Yellows slightly at 300oF when held for 5 hours. The most extensively used type of nylon in gloves is Nylon 6/6.

Pigskin: A durable leather. When tanned on the sueded side, it produces luxurious lightweight and tight suede. When tanned on the grain side, it produces a durable Nappa. New tanning advances have yielded wonderful textures and gems of color, adding to pigskins's appeal and versatility.

Pilling: The formation of groups of short or broken fibers on the surface of a fabric, which are tangled together in the shape of a tiny ball called a pill. Hydrophobic fibers tend to pill much more than hydrophilic fibers.

Pique: (pronounced Pee-KAY) One edge of leather lapped over the other and chain stitched by a special machine with a small "post" for sewing inside the fingers. Used in sewing fine dress gloves and to sew leather palms to knitted gloves.

Resiliency: The ability of a material to spring back to shape after being creased, twisted or distorted. It is closely connected with wrinkle recovery. An example of good resiliency is polyester.

Reversible Pattern: A type of glove construction that allows the glove to be worn by either hand since the thumb is situated perfectly on the side of the glove.

Safety Cuff: A glove cuff designed for general purpose. Usually a 2 ½" cuff.

Select Shoulder: The best part of the shoulder portion of leather; rated just below side grade leather.

Sheepskin: Under the classifications of cabretta, capeskin and suede is taken from the hardy animals of cold and high altitude climates.

Shoulder: Part of a leather portion. Somewhat less consistent than the side part. Offers a good yield.

Specific Gravity: The ability of a fabric to be made thick and lofty and still be lightweight. A good example is acrylic.

Spectra:

Split: The result when one thick skin is literally split into two thinner pieces. The top piece has the grain on one side, while the bottom piece is sueded on both sides. It is the bottom piece that is referred to as "the split."

Straight Thumb: A type of glove thumb with a basic design that point vertically and is good for gripping.

Staple: Short lengths of synthetic fiber. The links can be tailored for utilization in the various systems of spinning in whole or part with other natural or synthetic fibers. In appearance, there is a considerable difference between fiber in the staple form and fiber in the continuous state; in the latter, it is smooth and even, while in the former, the appearance is fuzzy and irregular. Gloves made from staple fiber should be avoided when clean, lint-free, and particle-free conditions are preferred.

Strength: Some fibers are very strong, such as nylon and polyester. Others are weak, such as acetate and acrylic. Strength contributes greatly to fabric durability.

Suede: The hair side of the leather that has been buffed by an abrading machine to give a soft, burnished effect.

Welt: A thin piece of leather sewn into the seam to strengthen it. Often a welt is used in the seam at the crotch of the thumb and the base of the finger. Added to protect threads against sparks and abrasion.

Whipstitch: Overseam, most popular in casual and sport styled leather gloves.

Wickability: The ability of a fiber to transport moisture away from the skin.

Client Trademarks:

All-Day® - Polygenex International, Inc.

All-Day®ESD - Polygenex International, Inc.

Armor-PawTM - Polygenex International, Inc.

CovexTM - Polygenex International, Inc.

TetraTM - Polygenex International, Inc.

Tetra-GloTM - Polygenex International, Inc.

Section III: Problems With Gloves - (Return to Top)

Problems With Latex Allergies

The purpose of this literature review should help serve as a reference for Health Care Professionals looking for answers to the various problems associated with the routine usage of latex and rubber gloves.

Recent studies have indicated that the rapid increase in recent years in the use of gloves by medical and dental personnel is due primarily because of the concern for prevention of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). There may be two consequences with the increase use of gloves. First, there may be an increase in the number of medical and dental personnel who experience contact urticaria (acute or chronic allergic reaction - e.g. Contact Dermatitis) after repetitive exposure to rubber gloves. Second, there may be an increased number of unexpected anaphylactic reactions in patients who develop contact urticaria to rubber.

In January of 1988, there was a reported death at the Henry Ford Hospital, probably due to anaphylactic shock. In investigations by immunologists at the hospital, using a RAST test and the patient's own blood, they found that the patient was highly allergic to proteins found in many latex products, including surgical gloves.

Studies indicate that the hypersensitivity or allergen is believed to come from a water soluble protein which occurs naturally in the latex as obtained from the tree Hevea Brasilienses. It is heat stable and is present on the surface of the latex after it has been manufactured.

Hypersensitivity and anaphylactic reactions to latex include eczema, contact urticaria, respiratory symptoms, and shock. The studies indicate that as much as 6% of the population may be at risk to these allergens.

Additional studies, regarding the use of talcs, absorbable powders, and starches in the manufacturing of gloves or used as an agent to ease the donning of gloves are also listed. The studies clearly indicate that these substances may pose risks such as peritonitis, granuloma, adhesions, and even death.

I. ARTICLES DEMONSTRATING HYPERSENSITIVITY TO LATEX

Systematic anaphylaxis during rectal manometry with latex balloon, by Sondheimer, headman and Bailey; The American Journal of Gastroenterology 1989; 84:No. 8 975-977

(a) Scope and Application. This section applies to all occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials as defined by paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following shall apply:

"Director" means the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or designated representative. "HBV" means hepatitis B virus. "HIV" means human immune deficiency virus. "Personal Protective Equipment" is specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against a hazard. General work clothes (e.g., uniforms, pants, shirts or blouses) not intended to function as protection against a hazard are not considered to be personal protective equipment. "Source Individual" means any individual, living or dead, whose blood or other potentially infectious materials may be a source of occupational exposure to the employee. Examples include, but are not limited to, hospital and clinic patients; clients in institutions for the developmentally disabled; trauma victims; clients of drug and alcohol treatment facilities; residents of hospices and nursing homes; human remains; and individuals who donate or sell blood or blood components. "Sterilize" means the use of a physical or chemical procedure to destroy all microbial life including highly resistant bacterial endospores. "Universal Precautions" is an approach to infection control. According to the concept of Universal Precautions, all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens. "Work Practice Controls" means controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the manner in which a task is performed (e.g., prohibiting recapping of needles by a two-handed technique).

1910.1030(c)

(2) Engineering and Work Practice Controls. (i) Engineering and work practice controls shall be used to eliminate or minimize employee exposure. Where occupational exposure remains after institution of these controls, personal protective equipment shall also be used. (ii) Engineering controls shall be examined and maintained or replaced on a regular schedule to ensure their effectiveness. (iii) Employers shall provide hand washing facilities which are readily accessible to employees. (iv) When provision of hand washing facilities is not feasible, the employer shall provide either an appropriate antiseptic hand cleanser in conjunction with clean cloth/paper towels or antiseptic towelettes. When antiseptic hand cleansers or towelettes are used, hands shall be washed with soap and running water as soon as feasible. (v) Employers shall ensure that employees wash their hands immediately or as soon as feasible after removal of gloves or other personal protective equipment. (vi) Employers shall ensure that employees wash hands and any other skin with soap and water, or flush mucous membranes with water immediately or as soon as feasible following contact of such body areas with blood or other potentially infectious materials. (3) Personal Protective Equipment. (i) Provision. When there is occupational exposure, the employer shall provide, at no cost to the employee, appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, face shields or masks and eye protection, and mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, pocket masks, or other ventilation devices. Personal protective equipment will be considered "appropriate" only if it does not permit blood or other potentially infectious materials to pass through to or reach the employee's work clothes, street clothes, undergarments, skin, eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes under normal conditions of use and for the duration of time which the protective equipment will be used.

1910.1030(d)

(3)(ii) (ii) Use. The employer shall ensure that the employee uses appropriate personal protective equipment unless the employer shows that the employee temporarily and briefly declined to use personal protective equipment when, under rare and extraordinary circumstances, it was the employee's professional judgment that in the specific instance its use would have prevented the delivery of health care or public safety services or would have posed an increased hazard to the safety of the worker or co-worker. When the employee makes this judgment, the circumstances shall be investigated and documented in order to determine whether changes can be instituted to prevent such occurrences in the future. (iii) Accessibility. The employer shall ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment in the appropriate sizes is readily accessible at the worksite or is issued to employees. Hypoallergenic gloves, glove liners, powderless gloves, or other similar alternatives shall be readily accessible to those employees who are allergic to the gloves normally provided.

(iv) Cleaning, Laundering, and Disposal. The employer shall clean, launder, and dispose of personal protective equipment required by paragraphs (d) and (e) of this standard, at no cost to the employee.

1910.1030(d)

(3)(v) (v) Repair and Replacement. The employer shall repair or replace personal protective equipment as needed to maintain its effectiveness, at no cost to the employee. (vi) If a garment(s) is penetrated by blood or other potentially infectious materials, the garment(s) shall be removed immediately or as soon as feasible. (vii) All personal protective equipment shall be removed prior to leaving the work area. (viii) When personal protective equipment is removed it shall be placed in an appropriately designated area or container for storage, washing, decontamination or disposal. (ix) Gloves. Gloves shall be worn when it can be reasonably anticipated that the employee may have hand contact with blood, other potentially infectious materials, mucous membranes, and non-intact skin; when performing vascular access procedures except as specified in paragraph (d)(3)(ix)(D); and when handling or touching contaminated items or surfaces. (A) Disposable (single use) gloves such as surgical or examination gloves, shall be replaced as soon as practical when contaminated or as soon as feasible if they are torn, punctured, or when their ability to function as a barrier is compromised.

1910.1030(d)

(3)(ix)(B) (B) Disposable (single use) gloves shall not be washed or decontaminated for re-use. (C) Utility gloves may be decontaminated for re-use if the integrity of the glove is not compromised. However, they must be discarded if they are cracked, peeling, torn, punctured, or exhibit other signs of deterioration or when their ability to function as a barrier is compromised. (D) If an employer in a volunteer blood donation center judges that routine gloving for all phlebotomies is not necessary then the employer shall: {1} Periodically reevaluate this policy; {2} Make gloves available to all employees who wish to use them for phlebotomy; {3} Not discourage the use of gloves for phlebotomy; and {4} Require that gloves be used for phlebotomy in the following circumstances: [i] When the employee has cuts, scratches, or other breaks in his or her skin; [ii] When the employee judges that hand contamination with blood may occur, for example, when performing phlebotomy on an uncooperative source individual; and [iii] When the employee is receiving training in phlebotomy.

1910.1030(d)

(3)(x) (x) Masks, Eye Protection, and Face Shields. Masks in combination with eye protection devices, such as goggles or glasses with solid side shields, or chin-length face shields, shall be worn whenever splashes, spray, spatter, or droplets of blood or other potentially infectious materials may be generated and eye, nose, or mouth contamination can be reasonably anticipated. (xi) Gowns, Aprons, and Other Protective Body Clothing. Appropriate protective clothing such as, but not limited to, gowns, aprons, lab coats, clinic jackets, or similar outer garments shall be worn in occupational exposure situations. The type and characteristics will depend upon the task and degree of exposure anticipated. (xii) Surgical caps or hoods and/or shoe covers or boots shall be worn in instances when gross contamination can reasonably be anticipated (e.g., autopsies, orthopedic surgery). (4) Housekeeping. (i) General. Employers shall ensure that the worksite is maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. The employer shall determine and implement an appropriate written schedule for cleaning and method of decontamination based upon the location within the facility, type of surface to be cleaned, type of soil present, and tasks or procedures being performed in the area.

1910.1030(d)

(4)(ii) (ii) All equipment and environmental and working surfaces shall be cleaned and decontaminated after contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. (A) Contaminated work surfaces shall be decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant after completion of procedures; immediately or as soon as feasible when surfaces are overtly contaminated or after any spill of blood or other potentially infectious materials; and at the end of the work shift if the surface may have become contaminated since the last cleaning. (B) Protective coverings, such as plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or imperviously-backed absorbent paper used to cover equipment and environmental surfaces, shall be removed and replaced as soon as feasible when they become overtly contaminated or at the end of the workshift if they may have become contaminated during the shift. (C) All bins, pails, cans, and similar receptacles intended for reuse which have a reasonable likelihood for becoming contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials shall be inspected and decontaminated on a regularly scheduled basis and cleaned and decontaminated immediately or as soon as feasible upon visible contamination.

1910.1030(i)

(1) (1) Effective Date. The standard shall become effective on March 6, 1992. (2) The Exposure Control Plan required by paragraph (c) of this section shall be completed on or before May 5, 1992. (3) Paragraph (g)(2) Information and Training and (h) Record keeping shall take effect on or before June 4, 1992. (4) Paragraphs (d)(2) Engineering and Work Practice Controls, (d)(3) Personal Protective Equipment, (d)(4) Housekeeping, (e) HIV and HBV Research Laboratories and Production Facilities, (f) Hepatitis B Vaccination and Post-Exposure Evaluation and Follow-up, and (g)(1) Labels and Signs, shall take effect July 6, 1992.